Research Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Today’s Party System in Indian Politics


Affiliations
1 Regional Institute of Education (NCERT), Bhubaneswar-751022, India
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


The paper aim at to reveal the present condition of the Indian political parties. Besides, it also highlightsthe polices and decisions taken for the country which is the outcome of their party’s political ideology. The Election Commission has tried to bring changes in the electoral process. Indian politics is a field of multi-party competition but the pattern through which the country is governed is all same whosoever party comes to power. Dynastic rule, splitting citizens by associating them with various castes and religion, and purchasing the media for election campaign etc. will remain common elements for various parties of Indian politics. The paradox of Indian democracy is that enlightened middle class has shown indifferent attitude towards electoral process. In the era of globalization, one is so deeply involved to fulfill his unending quench for attaining material pleasure that one fails to realize his larger national responsibility. Taking advantage of this attitude, political parties compromise with values, ethics, and morality to win elections.This raised the question that when the most educated and enlightened group will fail to fulfill their national obligation then how we can expect our political system to improve automatically.The question is whether Indian democracy has truly ensured the participation of every segment of the population in electoral process. Unless the fruits of democratic success are not shared with deprived and poorer section of the population, the goal of democracy cannot be said to be realized.

Keywords

Democracy, Coalitions, Party System, Participation, National Interest.
Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Auyero, Javier (2006) ‘Introductory Note to Politics under the Microscope: Special Issue on Political Ethnography I’, Qualitative Sociology, 2, pp. 257-9. DOI: 10.1007/s11133-006-9028-7.

  • Banerjee, Mukulika (2007) ‘Sacred Elections’, Economic and Political Weekly, 28 April, pp. 1556-62.

  • Brass, Paul (1985) Caste, Faction and Party in Indian Politics. Volume Two: Election Studies, Delhi: Chanakya Publications.

  • Butler, David; Lahiri, Ashok; Roy, Prannoy (1995) India Decides Elections 1952-1995, Delhi: Books & Things.

  • Chandra, Kanchan (2004) ‘Elections as Auctions’, Seminar, 539.

  • Chandra, Kanchan (2008) ‘Why voters in patronage democracies split their tickets: Strategic voting for ethnic parties’, Electoral Studies, 28, pp. 21-32. DOI: 10.1016/j.electstud.2008.06.006

  • Chhibber, Pradeep; Petrocik, John R.K. (1989) ‘The Puzzle of Indian Politics: Social Cleavages and the Indian Party System’, British Journal of Political Science, 19(2), pp. 191-210. DOI: 10.1017/S0007123400005433

  • Dikshit, S.K. (1993) Electoral Geography of India, With Special Reference to Sixth and Seventh Lok Sabha Elections, Varanasi: Vishwavidyalaya Prakashan.

  • Eldersveld, Samuel; Ahmed, Bashiruddin (1978) Citizens and Politics: Mass Political Behaviour in India, Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

  • Hauser, Walter; Singer, Wendy (1986) ‘The Democratic Rite: Celebration and Participation in the Indian Elections’, Asian Survey, 26(9), pp. 941-58. DOI: 10.1525/as.1986.26.9.01p0412r

  • Jaffrelot, Christophe (2008) ‘‘Why Should We Vote?’ The Indian Middle Class and the Functioning of the World’s Largest Democracy’, in Christophe Jaffrelot& Peter Van der Veer (eds.), Patterns of Middle Class Consumption in India and China, Delhi: Sage.

  • Jayal, Niraja Gopal (2001) ‘Introduction’, in Niraja Gopal Jayal (ed.), Democracy in India, Delhi: Oxford University Press, pp. 1-49.

  • Jayal, Niraja Gopal (2006) ‘Democratic dogmas and disquiets’, Seminar, 557.

  • Kondo, Norio (2007) Election Studies in India, Institute of Developing Economies: Discussion Paper no-98.

  • Lijphart, Arend (1996) ‘The Puzzle of Indian Democracy: A Consociational Interpretation’, The American Political Science Review, 90(2), pp. 258-68. DOI: 10.2307/2082883

  • Lokniti, Team (2004) ‘National Election Study 2004: An Introduction’, Economic and Political Weekly, 18 December, pp. 5373-81.

  • Mitra, Subrata K. (1979) ‘Ballot Box and Local Power: Electoral Politics in an Indian Village’, Journal of Commonwealth and Comparative Politics, 17(3), pp. 282-99.Mitra, Subrata K. (2005) ‘Elections and the Negotiation of Ethnic Conflict: An American Science of Indian Politics?’, India Review, 24, pp. 326-43.

  • Rao, Bhaskara (2009) A Handbook of Poll Surveys in Media: An Indian Perspective, Delhi: Gyan Publications.

  • Shastri, Sandeep; Suri, K.C.; Yadav, Yogendra (2009) Electoral Politics in Indian States: Lok Sabha Elections in 2004 and Beyond, Delhi: Oxford University Press.http://www.facenfacts.com/NewsDetails/1937/emerging-trends-in-indian-electoral-politics-and-party-system-part-2.html

  • Yadav, Yogendra (2007) ‘Invitation to a dialogue: What work does ‘fieldwork’ do in the field of elections?’, in A.M. Shah (ed.), The Grassischolar_mains of Democracy: Field Studies of Indian Elections, Delhi: Permanent black, pp. 345-68.


Abstract Views: 273

PDF Views: 0




  • Today’s Party System in Indian Politics

Abstract Views: 273  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

Kalinga Ketaki
Regional Institute of Education (NCERT), Bhubaneswar-751022, India

Abstract


The paper aim at to reveal the present condition of the Indian political parties. Besides, it also highlightsthe polices and decisions taken for the country which is the outcome of their party’s political ideology. The Election Commission has tried to bring changes in the electoral process. Indian politics is a field of multi-party competition but the pattern through which the country is governed is all same whosoever party comes to power. Dynastic rule, splitting citizens by associating them with various castes and religion, and purchasing the media for election campaign etc. will remain common elements for various parties of Indian politics. The paradox of Indian democracy is that enlightened middle class has shown indifferent attitude towards electoral process. In the era of globalization, one is so deeply involved to fulfill his unending quench for attaining material pleasure that one fails to realize his larger national responsibility. Taking advantage of this attitude, political parties compromise with values, ethics, and morality to win elections.This raised the question that when the most educated and enlightened group will fail to fulfill their national obligation then how we can expect our political system to improve automatically.The question is whether Indian democracy has truly ensured the participation of every segment of the population in electoral process. Unless the fruits of democratic success are not shared with deprived and poorer section of the population, the goal of democracy cannot be said to be realized.

Keywords


Democracy, Coalitions, Party System, Participation, National Interest.

References